Technical Terms. 
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Hackles. — The long, narrow feathers on the neck of Fowls. Also found in the saddle of the cock ; in 
this case called " saddle " hackles. 
Hen. — A Female Fowl cwcr twelve months old. 
Henfcathered. — The plumage of a cock resembling that of a hen of the variety to which they belong. 
Also abbreviated to " Henny." 
Hereditary. — The inheritance by offspring of the characteristics or likeness of their ancestors, more or 
less remote. 
Hock. — The joint between the thigh and shank. 
In-breeding. — The mating of birds which are related in blood to each other, no matter how distantly 
apart. 
Keel. — The breast-bone, so called from its resemblance to the keel of a boat. 
Knock-kneed. — A term used to express an inward turning of the hocks, by which they are brought close 
together, often touching. 
Leaf Comb. — The two-pronged, V-shaped comb such as is seen in crested breeds, so called from a 
fancied resemblance to the open leaves of a book. 
Leg. — In a living Fowl, this is the scaly part usually denominated the shank ; in a Fowl dressed for the 
table, it refers to the joint above. 
Leg-feathers. — Feathers growing upon the outer sides of the shanks. 
Metallic. — The lustre on the plumage. 
Mossy. — Indistinct and confused marking in the plumage. 
Pea Comb. — A triple comb, resembling three small single combs joined together at the base and rear, 
being lower and narrower at the front and back than in the centre, and distinctly divided, the largest and 
highest in the middle, each part being slightly and evenly serrated. 
Pencilling. — Small markings or stripes on the feather. These may run straight across, when they are 
frequently called bars, or follow the outline of the feather, taking a crescentic form, or a minute irregular 
marking. 
Poult. — A young turkey. 
Prepotency. — The power possessed by a bird of stamping his or her likeness upon the progeny of a 
union, to the exclusion "of the likeness of the other parent. 
Primaries. — See Flights. 
Profile. — A direct side view, or illustration of a Fowl. 
Pullet. — A Female Fowl under twelve months old. 
Reach. — The height of a bird when standing quite erect. 
Rooster. — A term used for a cock or cockerel. 
Rose Comb. — A low, thick, solid comb, the upper surface of which is usually covered with small points, 
it generally terminates in a well-developed spike at the back. 
Rust. — Reddish-brown feathers on the wing and sides of hens or pullets of some breeds, such as brown or 
Pile Leghorns and Game hens, also called Foxey-markihg. 
Saddle. — The rear portion of the back, and covering the root of the tail. 
Secondaries. — The end feathers of the wing, which are visible when the wing is folded. 
Self Colour. —Uniform in plumage, being applied to all solid or whole coloured birds, such as white, 
black, and buff. 
Serrated. — The upper part of a single comb may have three to seven or more spikes, and the spaces 
between are called serrations. 
